Wincanton runner-up Nothin To Ask and Newcastle third THUNDER ROCK may fight out the finish of this with preference for the latter, who didn’t really settle when well backed on the Tapeta and will be more at home on this surface. No Word Of A Lie ran green at Exeter but kept on well in the closing stages while Lebowski only found one too good at Huntingdon on his first run for Adrian Wintle. Adelphi Sprite is also a likely improver.
Adelphi Sprite 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace from 2f out, 4th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Not What It Seems (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Chris Cool 16-1 (11-0) Contested lead, pushed and headed before 3f out, ridden before 2f out, weakened late on, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Flann (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov.
Lebowski (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway going strongly over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Silent Revolution (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Mister Mcarthur Phoenix Reach gelding out of Arctic Queen.
Nothin To Ask (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway and switched right over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, unable to challenge, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Mucho Mas (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) sft in Dec.
No Word Of A Lie 12-1 (11-2) Pulled hard early, soon steadied into mid-division, headway chasing leaders, 5f out, hung badly right in home straight, plugged on, 4th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Flemenstide (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) sft in Jan.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Midfield, steady headway on inside turning for home, chased leader over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Seven Arches (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Tom Cody (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Trckd ldrs; chall 15; wknd 2 out, 6th of 13, 23 3/4l behind For Fitz Sake (11-7) at Alnwick 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Ice Pigeon (IRE) Mastercraftsman M out of Elusive Legend.
Bollin Phoenix Phoenix Reach gelding out of Bollin Annabel.
Full Circle 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, went wrong and pulled up over 1f out, at Doncaster 1m 5f (5) gs in Nov.